Primer: IT Resource Types and IT Resources

IT Resource Types and IT Resources are related, an IT Resource Type defines the template for specific IT Resources. Think of it like a JavaBean with its various member variables and IT Resources as specific instances of that Bean. There are a couple of built-in types, Mail Server for example which provides the template for a specific Mail Server IT Resource that will be used to send various emails.

When importing a connector, you will get the IT Resource Type definition as well as be prompted for the specific values to create an IT Resource.

Each Type may have many specific IT Resources, for example you may have three different OID servers for each of your regional facilities. One Type 'LDAP Server' would provide the base for each of these 3 IT Resources.

Basically IT Resource Types and IT Resources define the physical connection to a specific resource, hostname, passwords, and so on. They are linked with Resource Objects which in conjunction with Resource Process Forms define the details of a managed object on the physical IT Resource, for example user accounts. One provisions a Resource Object on a specific IT Resource.